Washer and method of making



March 12, 1940. a... A. YOUNG WASHER AND METHOD OF MAKING" Filed Aug. 12, 1937 INVENTOR. ,QZO/Vd XpZ/fld ATTORNEYQ Patented Mar. 12, 1940 panel) STATES ATE T! omen 1 2,193.6 I I I WASHERANDMETHOD or MAKING I w Leonard A. Young, Detroit, Mich. v

Application August 12, 1937, Serial No. 158,749

' 5 Claims. (01. -74

. This invention relates to improvements in washher-s and method -of making.

which/enables the making of washers from straight [round stock such as Win stock, the resulting prod uct being in efifect endless.

Fourth,"to provide a washer formed of straight stock 'j/VhlCh has all the advantages of a washer -.punched from flatstock.

Objects .relatingto details-and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. "The invention is defined in the claims.

-A-preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a conventionalized side view of a machine for, performing initial steps of my method of manufacturing washers. i 1

I Fig. 2 is a plan View of a ring illustrating one of the steps of my method.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of a ring illustrating an intermediate step in the practice of my method.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View partially sectioned illustrating the final step of my method.

.Fig. 5 is a perspective View of my improved washer and an enlargement thereof, the joint being indicated by dotted lines. I Fig. 6 is an enlarged'detail section through the joint.

.Fig. 7. is a blank from which my improved washer is formed. I

I have made no attempt in the drawing to show the partsin their accurate proportions, and I have only shown the forming parts of the machine, that is, I have not attempted to illustrate actuating and synchronizing connections therefor.

In the accompanying drawing 1 represents a piece of wire or light rod stock which is suitably fed, preferably by coacting friction rollers 2. The

stock may be drawn from a bale of wire of proper I gauge through a straightening mechanism as is well known in wire working machines. The stock is advanced by the feed means against a stop 3 disposed in opposed. relation to the feed means and is fed across a suitable forming mandrel 4. The stock is advanced across the shear block 5 positioned to coact with thereciprocating shear member 8 which is carried by the forming member y I having a segmental forming recess '8 therein. The shear members 5 and dare conformed to form a V-shaped recess 8 in one end ofthe blank and a corresponding tongue l ii in the other end. The shapes of these tonguesand recesses may be very considerably varied but this V shape is found to be highly satisfactory and-greatly simplifies the manufacturing steps, and the cutters for these shapes are easily maintained.

It will benoted that the severingof the-blank H in the embodiment illustrated is accompanied by a partial forming operationwhich is completed onthefullstroke of the member I to form the stock into aU-shape around the mandrel 4 13' guide the ends of the ring into joint forming position andsimple forming mechanism is all that is required.

After the ring 14 has been formed it is then flattened. This ispreferably accomplished while still upon the mandrel 4 which is surrounded by a die member l5, the die member serving as an anvil or support for the work while the coacting die member it having a recess l1 therein is actuated. The forming member 4 serves as a gauge member for the internal diameter of the washer while therecess l'l serves as agauge for the external diameter. It will be understood that these die members are actuated at predetermined distances according to the washer to be formed, and

this is gauged or determined by the diameter of the stock employed. It will be noted in Figs. 2 and 4 thatthe outer diameter of recess I1 is greater than the outer diameter of ring 14, whereas the diameter of mandrel 4 and the internal diameter of the ring'are necessarily the same. This results in flowing of the metal of the ring radially outwardly. It is a much more simple matter to the metal to flow into shape and to form an effective interlocked seam as indicated at 18, Fig. 6.

It is found that with metals such as copper, aluminum and certain steel there is a cold weld interlocking or flowing of the metal at the joint. The resulting joint is such that an endless washer results.

If a stronger joint is desired than results from the operations described the ring may be electrically welded at the joint before the forming operation, but this is notdeemed necessary in producing washers for ordinary purposes or uses. In fact, the joint is almost entirely obliterated by the flattening operation when the stock is of the character of metals indicated.

It will be apparent that there is no waste by this method such as occurs when the washers are punched from flat stock as is very common practice, and thus a great saving in material is effected. This saving of material is highly important in the higher priced metals such as copper, brass and aluminum, but it is also an important factor in forming washers of ferrous metals.

A further advantage is that there is no machining or finishing required and no loss resulting therefrom. Should the dies be such that some flash results from the die pressing operation, this can be removed by a tumbling operation, but there apparently is no necessity for using dies that will require even the tumbling.

While I have illustrated perfectly round washers or washers of symmetrical shape, it will be understood that the shape of the washers may be greatly varied to meet particular conditions.

I have illustrated the steps of my improved method and the product mainly in conventional form. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe various details or apparatus which might be used as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to practice my invention in differenet practical uses.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of making washers which comprises the steps of forming a split ring with end parts in interlapping relation, and subjecting the formed ring to a pressing die which flattens the same into a flat washer while increasing the diameter of the ring and determines the exterior and the interior dimensions of the finished washer and causes the metal to efiect a cold weld engagement at the joint.

2. The method of making washers which comprises the steps of forming wire stock into a ring with joint parts in co-engaging relation, and die pressing the ring to form a flat washer, while permitting the metal of the ring to flow radially outward to increase the outer diameter of said ring.

3. As an article of manufacture, a flat washer resulting from the steps of forming a blank with a recess in one end and a coacting tongue in the other of wire stock, forming into a ring, and pressing the ring in a die to dimensions and causing the metal to flow into intimate abutting interlocked relation at the joint, said washer having a larger diameter than said ring.

4. As an article of manufacture, a flat washer resulting from the steps of forming a ring with end parts in co-engaging relation, and die forming the ring to flatten the same and cause the metal at the co-engaging ends to flow into intimate interlocked relation, the washer having a greater diameter than the ring.

5. As an article of manufacture, a flat washer resulting from the steps of forming wire stock into a ring with end parts in co-engaging relation, and die pressing the ring to form a flat washer, said washer having a greater outer diameter than the ring.

LEONARD A. YOUNG. 40 

